[Dynamic Effects of High-Altitude Exposure on Sleep and Mood States and the Underlying Neural Mechanisms].

Objective: To analyze changes in sleep, mood state, and brain function in healthy populations living in near-sea-level environments before and after exposure to high-altitude environment, and to explore the correlations between regional brain functional changes and variations in sleep and mood states. Methods: A total of 45 healthy volunteers were enrolled. The participants came from regions of near-sea-level altitudes and were exposed to the high-altitude environment for a short period of time. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) were administered to assess sleep quality as well as depressive and anxiety symptoms at 4 time points-prior to high-altitude exposure, immediately after exposure, one month after returning to low-altitude regions, and three months after returning to low-altitude regions. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were collected before and after high-altitude exposure, and regional brain functional parameters, including the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and functional connectivity strength, were analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed, including a linear mixed-effects model to evaluate longitudinal changes in scale scores, paired-sample Results: Compared with the pre-exposure findings, the participants exhibited significantly increased PSQI scores (8.89 ± 4.41 vs. 5.08 ± 2.69, Conclusion: High-altitude exposure has a significant impact on the sleep, mood states, and brain function of populations from near-sea-level regions, and DLPFC, in particular, is closely associated with changes in sleep and mood states. The findings of this study provide a theoretical basis for health management and intervention strategies in high-altitude environments.